COVID-19 Community Resources in English

The Church Council of Greater Seattle is joining in efforts to help blunt the spread of COVID-19. As people of faith, we can communicate that the situation warrants serious precautions. We can also do our part to respond to misinformation and stigma. Please share, print, and post the information below as you see fit.

We encourage you to follow this developing situation, and to keep educating yourself about the disease, what health professionals are learning about the transmission of COVID-19, and the best ways to limit the possibility of exposure and infection for yourself, loved ones, congregants and community members. This on-going education about the illness is especially important for anyone with a compromised immune system, or anyone who is regularly around others with such a weakened system.

Emergency Feeding Program: The Emergency Feeding Program provides pre-packaged food in bags for people experiencing food insecurity. They also have a drive-thru pick up program for people ages 55 and older. More information and their application is here: emergencyfeeding.org/fresh-market-form.

Mutual Aid Solidarity Network Grocery Request Forms: The grassroots coalition Mutual Aid Solidarity Network is organizing grocery drop-offs at front doors. They are prioritizing “folks who are sick, disabled, quarantined without pay, elderly, undocumented, queer, Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color – including those displaced from Seattle to the nearby areas.” Request forms in multiple languages can be found here.

For Faith Communities

From the National Council of Churches: In addition to these steps to enact social distancing and limit the spread of the coronavirus, NCC member communions have published guidelines and statements regarding the current crisis:

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has released a set of guidelinesto direct its advocacy activities.

The United Church of Christ has developed protocolsfor its congregations and agencies to help guide ongoing ministries

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has issued a set of guidelines entitled, “Faith, Not Fear,”for its congregations

Washington State DSHS Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP): The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is administering the Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP) in response to the COVID-19 emergency. DCAP is designed to provide emergency assistance with natural disasters in mind, like wildfires and flooding and is now available due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DCAP is available for one month, in a 12-month period, to all Washington families and individuals, who meet income and resource rules and who are not eligible other cash programs. You can apply by calling (877) 501-2233, (where operators have access to interpreters) or by applying online at org. More information about DCAP here.

City of Seattle Utility Discount Program (UDP): The Utility Discount Program (UDP) lowers Seattle City Light bills by 60% and Seattle Public Utility bills by 50%. Income-eligible residential customers can self-certify to join UDP and access heavily discounted utilities by simply signing a short form that attests to their household income, rather than having to provide income documentation. To learn more about enrollment in UDP, call (206) 684-0268 or email UDP@seattle.govor visit the Utility Discount Program page

Notifying Public Health with concerns about a case, cluster, or outbreak in a healthcare or social service setting:​at the kingcounty.gov/covid page, there is now an online form for facilities “to report concerns about a case, cluster, or outbreak in a healthcare of social service setting, including acute care facilities, urgent care, long-term care facilities, senior living communities, outpatient clinics, supportive or transitional housing, homeless shelters, dialysis centers, childcare programs, and correctional facilities. The Public Health – Seattle & King County COVID-19 Investigation Team will review all submitted forms and follow-up as needed.”

Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation Emergency Funds: The Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation has launched this fund for undocumented individuals or families with undocumented members who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the fund and to apply for aid, please visit: com.

COVID-19 Relief Fund for WA Undocumented Folks: the Washington Dream Coalition, in partnership with Scholarship Junkies, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network are fundraising through Scholarship Junkie’s 501(c)(3) GoFundMe and other avenues to provide emergency and preventative financial relief to undocumented individuals that are at financial risk. To apply for financial support or to contribute to the fund, visit: org/relief.

COVID-19 Survival Fund for the People: The grassroots COVID19 Mutual Aid group started this fund to provide financial support to “Undocumented, LGBTQI, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Elderly, and Disabled, folxs who are bearing the brunt of this social crisis and self-organizing.” To apply for aid or to donate to the fund, please visit: com/f/covid19-survival-fund-for-the-people.

Day Laborer and Household Worker Relief Fund: The day laborer nonprofit organization Casa Latina is organizing this fundraiser to support day laborers and household workers in Seattle. “One hundred percent of the funds raised here will be used to be put into a worker relief fund and go directly to day laborers and domestic worker members at Casa Latina, who have lost work in these difficult times.” For more information or to contribute to the fund, visit: com/f/day-laborer-and-domestic-worker-relief-fund.

El Centro de la Raza Emergency Response Fund: El Centro is raising funds to support “vulnerable children, families, and seniors facing unprecedented economic hardship.” Funds will help support the growing need for rent, food, utility, and other basic needs assistance for the clients they serve. For more information or to contribute to the fund, visit this page.

Immigrants Rising Tangible Support for Undocumented Communities during COVID-19: The national organization Immigrants Rising is regularly updating this list of resources to help undocumented immigrants navigate this COVID-19 pandemic. You can read through their comprehensive list here.

Capitol Hill Housing Resilience Fund: The Capitol Hill Housing Resilience Fund will be used to support the residents and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and work of the nonprofit community development corporation Capitol Hill Housing to support the community. To donate to and learn more about the fund, go to: org/covid-19resilience/index.php.

Support for Elders

Community Living Connections: For questions about aging or disability during this COVID-19 outbreak, and access to services for older people, adults with disabilities, and caregivers, contact Community Living Connections, a service provided by Seattle Human Services Department’s Aging and Disability Services division. Call toll-free 1-844-348-5464. Calls are confidential, professional, and free of charge.

Senior Meal Programs and Meals on Wheels: Seattle Human Services Department’s Aging and Disability Services division funds year-round meals at senior centers and other venues that have been suspended due to COVID-19. However, sack lunches and food boxes are available in many areas. Home-delivered meals (e.g., Meals on Wheels) are an option for individuals age 60+ who are unable to leave their homes. Contact Community Living Connectionsat 1-844-348-5464 (toll-free) to get connected to services in Seattle and King County.